Shloka 5
Adharma’s Short-Lived Prosperity and the Restorative Path of Tīrtha (लोमश–युधिष्ठिर संवादः)
भवता चानुगुप्तोडसौ चरेत् तीर्थानि सर्वश: । रक्षोभ्यो रक्षितव्यश्न दुर्गेषु विषमेषु च
bhavatā cānugupto 'sau caret tīrthāni sarvaśaḥ | rakṣobhyo rakṣitavyaś ca durgeṣu viṣameṣu ca ||
“ನಿನ್ನ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಯೊಳಗೆ ಅವನು ಎಲ್ಲ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ಸಂಚರಿಸಲಿ. ದುರ್ಗಮ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಪಾಯಕರ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನನ್ನು ರಾಕ್ಷಸರಿಂದ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯವಾಗಿ ಕಾಪಾಡಬೇಕು.”
लोमश उवाच
Educational Q&A
Pilgrimage (tīrtha-yātrā) is a dharmic practice, but it should be undertaken with prudent protection and vigilance; spiritual aims do not cancel the ethical duty to safeguard life in dangerous terrain.
Lomaśa is advising that the person undertaking the tīrtha-journey should travel widely among sacred places, but only while being properly escorted and protected, since rākṣasas and other threats are especially likely in remote, rugged, and perilous regions.